An interim report highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the system by which Parliament scrutinized government finances.
Source: Alex Brazier and Vidya Ram, Inside the Counting House: A discussion paper on Parliamentary scrutiny of government finance, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Hansard Society press release
Date: 2005-Dec
A think-tank report said that too many people felt disconnected from politics and saw the formal institutions, including MPs, as remote from their lives. This was threatening the health and legitimacy of the democratic system.
Source: John Healey MP, Mark Gill and Declan McHugh, MPs and Politics in our Time, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Report | Hansard Society press release
Date: 2005-Nov
A report on parliamentary modernization since 1997 argued that, despite the government?s stated objective to ?re-establish the proper balance between parliament and the executive?, power remained heavily stacked in the government?s favour.
Source: Alex Brazier, Matthew Flinders and Declan McHugh, New Politics, New Parliament?, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jun
A paper called for the introduction of a systematic programme of post-legislative scrutiny'. This would involve Parliament in formally reviewing laws to judge whether they had achieved what the government intended; whether they had had unintended consequences; and whether the law, once implemented, was clear and unambiguous.
Source: Alex Brazier, Post-legislative Scrutiny, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Hansard Society press release
Date: 2005-May
A report analyzed the modernization of parliamentary procedures and practices that had occurred since 1997, exploring whether they had been successful in strengthening the role of Parliament and considering what future steps should be taken.
Source: Alex Brazier, Declan McHugh and Matthew Flinders, New Politics, New Parliament?, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-May
The Department for Constitutional Affairs published a statement setting out its priorities in the areas of criminal justice and the legal system. It included plans for tighter controls to prevent long criminal trials. It also proposed to limit the amount of time the House of Lords was able to spend scrutinizing government legislation.
Source: Making a Difference: Taking Forward Our Priorities, Department for Constitutional Affairs (020 7210 8500)
Links: Statement (pdf) | Guardian report (1) | Guardian report (2)
Date: 2005-May
A record number of 113 candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds stood as candidates in the May 2005 general election. This was an increase of 47 on the 2001 election.
Source: Press release 5 May 2005, Commission for Racial Equality (020 7939 0000)
Links: CRE press release
Date: 2005-May
A report said that Parliament was failing in its democratic duty to communicate with the electorate, and urged a fundamental overhaul of its communication structure.
Source: Members Only? Parliament in the public eye ('Puttnam Commission report'), Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Hansard Society press release | Guardian report | Young People Now report
Date: 2005-May
The government responded to a report by a committee of peers on the legislative process. It said that it was committed to strengthening Parliamentary scrutiny.
Source: Parliament and the Legislative Process: The Government's Response, Sixth Report (Session 2004-05), HL 114, House of Lords Constitution Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | Peers report
Date: 2005-Apr
A think-tank pamphlet (by the leader of the opposition Conservative party in the House of Lords) said that the power of Parliament to hold the Executive to account had been seriously curbed by the Labour government, with the House of Commons "no longer functioning as an independent chamber". It said that the powers of the House of Lords should be defended against further encroachment, and that its role in scrutinizing legislation should be secured.
Source: Thomas Strathclyde, Working in Harness: Parliamentary government and the role of the House of Lords, Politeia (020 7240 5070)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2005-Apr
A report said that MPs were seen as distant and uncaring, while Parliament was perceived to be antiquated, remote, and increasingly powerless. But it rejected the idea of moving towards forms of 'direct' democracy - for example, using new technologies such as e-mail and the internet.
Source: Declan McHugh and Philip Parvin, Neglecting Democracy, Hansard Society (020 7955 7459)
Links: Report (pdf) | Hansard Society press release
Date: 2005-Mar
A new book examined the gulf between political classes and the general public - the latter increasingly disaffected by politics and government - and considered options for reform.
Source: Christopher Foster, British Government in Crisis, Hart Publishing (01865 245533)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Mar
A report presented detailed recommendations from a cross-party group of parliamentarians for reforming the House of Lords. It recommended a chamber of 385 members, of whom 70 per cent would be directly elected using proportional representation on a regional basis. Elections would take place on general election day, with members serving 12-14 year terms. Most of the remaining members would be appointed by a statutory Appointments Commission, although there would be a reduced number of seats for Bishops, and for members appointed by the Prime Minister to serve as ministers.
Source: Paul Tyler MP, Kenneth Clarke MP, Robin Cook MP, Tony Wright MP and George Young MP, Reforming the House of Lords: Breaking the deadlock, Constitution Unit/University of London, available from Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2005-Feb
A report by a committee of MPs recommended that 'family friendly' sitting hours (with more business than previously being done during the mornings, and less in the evenings) should be made permanent. MPs voted to return to a 10pm finish on Wednesdays, and make Thursday sessions start earlier.
Source: Sitting Hours, First Report (Session 2004-05), HC 88, House of Commons Modernisation Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 26 January 2005, columns 327-386, TSO
Links: Report | Hansard | NPN press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jan